Reviews (page 4 of 9)
Album #666 on this project, and there aren't many more aptly named for me to draw in this slot. I thought this was a good album, but overall I liked it less than "Tigermilk." Favorite track: "Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying"
This is the kind of wanker shit I'm way into.
Well this was totally inoffensive. Just a plain and pleasant listen. There’s some basic arrangement ideas here but the recording keeps it fairly devoid of dynamics so by the end I just felt flat and emotionless. I’m not sure what exactly would make this a must listen album but it’s not bad. It’s just good. That’s all. Just good.
I've never listened to this album (56). Really great title!
I feel like objectively I should give this album two stars, but the tunes were pleasant enough that I actually went back and listened to a couple songs again. Much more than I can say for most of the albums I've heard here.
Oh wow, this is absolutely stunning. I want to spend so much more time living in the world created by this album. Faves: The Stars of Track and Field, Seeing Other People, If You're Feeling Sinister
7/10… baroque pop/ Indie folk / *1996
Sort of inoffensive indie, but it was a pleasant listen. Pretty vocals and instruments
I had two british pop albums in a row and normally that would be a nightmare but both of them were surprisingly decent. I am not sure how this is one of the top 20 albums of the 90's but I did enjoy it and may give it another listen or two.
I enjoyed this a high 3 star
One of my favourite albums from my years in Santander. It's a great pop album. There are two songs that are not absolutely great, and are just fine. 5/5.
Begint vrij langzaam, maar uiteindelijk ben ik in het middenstuk van het album wel echt hooked. Overall vrij rustige & relaxte muziek met een fijne stem. Het pianowerk in dylan and the movies erg mooi.
3.0
Great album
Smart, bookish, and influential, belle and Sebastian deliver a great record
alright
Planning to return to this one at another time, I think I'll like it a lot more when I'm in the mood for this type of music
good
I think they listened to a lot of Nick Drake when making this.
Meh nothing special for me
Would not buy.
I really don’t know what to feel about this one. It has a lot of elements that enjoy in an album like brooding lyrics and 1960’s inspired pop music. It just didn’t sound like that it needed to be “mixed up” a little bit more. The album was okay. I may have to listen to again sometime in the future and see if opinions change.
I’d heard of Bell and Sebastian before, but I’m not sure if I’d ever listened to any songs from the band. They’re described as indie pop and they do have a very poppy sound. One of the first things I noticed was that there are points in the opening track, The Stars of Track and Field, which reminded me of Brown-Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. So, if you enjoy that song, then I think you’d like Belle and Sebastian. If You’re Feeling Sinister, which is a great album title, was the second album from the band. It seems as soon as it was released, it was heralded as one of the best albums of the year and decade. It came out in 1996, so at this time, I was still deep into metal and the grunge movement. This wouldn’t have even gotten on my radar. Plus, we were still buying music back then. I mean, please, buying music? How old-fashioned. Listening to it now, I’m quite blown away at how great this album is. It reminds me of The Kinks circa Face to Face or Something Else. The band employs a wide variety of musical instruments and the songs are very well-crafted. As you go through the album, suddenly a saxophone pops up and you notice that it’s the first time you’ve heard a sax, but it’s not out of place. It works. The lyrics are really beautiful and are almost always telling a story. It reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel that way. The whole album sounds like it was influenced by the 60s folk music revival, but the songs are poppier. While the lyrics can be very gloomy, the music is so beautiful that it puts a smile on your face. Plus, I'm gloomy right now. If You’re Feeling Sinister is an album that, if you didn’t know it came out in 1996, you’d be hard pressed to nail its release date down. I can see how it went on to inspire the indie pop music movement in the 2000s. Belle and Sebastian found their people, and those people went on to make their own version of this music. I don’t know if it’s because I’m in a down mood, but I really, really dug this album. I’m glad I heard before I moved on outta here. I think you’ll dig it too.
Day 8: Best track: Mayfly By the time I reached halfway through the title track, I thought to myself, "Do The Smiths suck this much too?" While I'm operating under the assumption that the answer is "No," I'm now scared to find out the answer may be "Yes." Never have I heard so many words say absolutely nothing. Thank God Franz Ferdinand redeemed Glasgow in terms of music output. 3/10.
I don’t think I needed a second album from this artist.
Incredible sense of feelings and music, melodies with emotion.
Not my type of sad Brooklyn coffee shop vibes
An inoffensive waste of my time. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ Why? ★★☆☆☆ (4/10)
I can’t imagine being able to write this many great songs in a lifetime.
Feels like a 90s indie film. A little too twee for me.
2.5 - Meh
Kinda interesting indie record but it's definitely a little boring, some nice vocals here sometimes
'If You're Feeling Sinister' is often ranked among the best albums of the 90s, with many reviewers considering it, and Belle and Sebastian a pioneering act of the indie scene that would explode in the 2000s. Well, I think back to that scene in the movie 'High Fidelity' where Rob [John Cusack] and Dick [Todd Louiso] are playing a Belle and Sebastian record in the record store, before Barry [Jack Black] confidently waddles in and proclaims "HOLY S***, WHAT THE F*** IS THIS? IT SUCKS ASS." I'm inclined to agree with Barry. There's really not much about this record that does it for me. I find the vocals lazy and void of life, and the instrumentation is just downright boring. It's basically the same 10 songs you hear in every kooky coming-of-age film post-2000 you care to mention. Just not at all memorable. I know I sound very harsh in throwing the book at the modern indie genre, as has been evident in some of the reviews I've written previously, but I just don't see what all the fuss is about. To me, it just sounds like edgy hipsters mumbling their way sweetly through songs about how miserable their lives are. It's not that I dislike misery in songs, misery can actually be very powerful, but when these indie artists do it, they sound so nauseatingly self-righteous and 'off with the fairies'. So if you like this album, to paraphrase Barry again: "go ahead and put on your sad bastard music." But it's not for me, thanks. Best songs: Nil, it's boring
This is insane. I love indie music. I'm fucking Scottish. How have I never listened to Belle and Sebastian!? This absolutely slaps.
I gave TigerMilk a 4 as have listened to that album alot over the years so I know it well. I have not listened to "If You're Feeling Sinister" previously and I was largely underwhelmed. The whimsy is very much there - but the charm/ catchy hooks appear to be lacking. Very disappointing and surprising given this album was recorded very close to Tigermilk.
If You’re Feeling Sinister I feel similarly about this as I did Tigermilk, although I think I prefer that album, as it had a little more variation than this, which does stick to a quite narrow template musically. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as I do find their whimsical strumminess with bite beneath the sweetness very enjoyable. As with Tigermilk there are large dollops of Nick Drake in his vocal tone and style, and there seems to be quite a bit of Nico in there too. It perhaps lacks a real stand out song, but there is some great stuff; Stars of Track and Field, Me and the Major with its harmonica, the Victoria sounding Like Dylan in the Movies, the stately and pretty The Fox in the Snow, the title track, punctuated by some lovely country touches and a great melody, the vaguely forlorn The Boy Done Wrong and it’s nicely toned descending bass, and Judy and the Dream of Horses balance of sunny melody and bittersweet lyrics. Although I think it's probably a touch below Tigermilk, it's still a 4, it’s a lovely album. 👈👈👈👈 Playlist submission: The Fox in the Snow
I don't hear or feel much difference between this and Tigermilk. I don't, at this current time, understand why both are on the list. That being said, this is probably the stronger collection of tracks, with some nice shimmering melodies that develop with repeated listens - not least the opening gambit 'Stars of Track & Field' (I'm a sucker for a trumpet; and the same trumpet brings the final track 'Judy and the Dream of Horses' to life). After feeling a bit feeble, like Terry Jones' effete son in The Holy Grail, I ended up enjoying it a lot, and not wanting to move on from it. Whilst it does have a couple of exceedingly ordinary tracks, namely 'Mayfly' and 'Me and the Major', the album skirts with being excellent; it's borderline in truth - but I will bump it to a 4, as I believe it to be best in class in the anaemic-folk genre.
Quite boring
I have generally enjoyed Belle and Sebastian's music, despite a somewhat disdain for the twee pop sound.
Always feels good to draw a favorite.
The music is fairly pleasing but the affected vocals were close to unbearable. Having to wade through a lot of mediocracy in these choices for 101 albums..
Overall just very bland for my liking. The vocals especially. Favorite track: The Fox in the Snow
Not as good as Tigermilk
Great piece of British pop
Molt happies molt lineal,música de fondo en un día d’estar a casa tranquil.No son l’estil que escolto i la veu cantarinaguda del cantant molta estona acaba ratllant. Un 5 pelat.
un clásico
Pleasant if not... slightly bland. No real bite, but nice enough Like Dylan in the Movies is such a nice little bop
Don’t like it. Coffee shop
This is a weird one because I find normally when I give something 3* it's because I think it's fairly mediocre, not bad, not offensive, but not really interesting enough to merit praise either. In this case however I think I'm giving it 3* because I really got pulled one way and then the other on this record. When it's at its best, it's being original and interesting. The songwriting sounds inspired by the sounds of the 60s, but with a contemporary inspired twist. Tracks like the opener and the title track really embody this well. Unfortunately the other half of the time it doesn't sound like it's inspired by the 60s, it sounds enslaved by them. Some of these songs are aping what made those artists special in a manner that reeks of desperation and is frankly a little embaressing I think when I heard the line "No one's writing songs like they used to, so I guess it's up to me" I finally lost patience with it. I'm sorry Belle & Sebastian, Simon & Garfunkel you are not. You're not even a Poundland Nick Drake. Stick to trying to create something new, that's what your strengths are, not recreating something that has passed.
Deep themes, great songwriting, great guitar What else can you ask for?
Well, well, well. This day has arrived. I was both excited and disappointed when it appeared because each time I rate my previous album I wonder if this is going to show up and now that will no longer be part of my ritual. This is hands down, by far, my favorite album ever recorded. It is a work of pure, raw genius. Knowing the history of its development, it was the result of a confluence of incredible, random, and wonderful coincidences. If you have read this far, go to youtube and search "Pitchfork If You're Feeling Sinister." it is an incredible one hour documentary about the making of this album and if you don't come away loving this band, well, you may need to reevaluate your humanity. The world needs more Belle and Sebastian fans.
Lowkey charming.
Cool introduction to their catalogue.. Will be listening to more of them.. Great mood music as well as some cool lyrics.. Old school cool..
A little different than I was expecting and thought I knew what Belle and Sebastian was about. It gave me Sufjan, Modest Mouse and Broken Social Scene vibes... all after 1998. Good album but not my exact jam. Glad to have the knowledge and move onto the next one.
Never listened to a full B&S album before, thoroughly enjoyed it. A keeper and a grower
Loved seeing other people but the rest was meh
In 16 months, Belle and Sebastian released the equivalent of three full albums worth of material – Tigermilk, Sinister, and the three EPs that followed. How on earth can you do that and there barely be a bum note in any of them? As your first releases? This isn't "difficult second album" territory at all. I'm not sure what was in the water in Glasgow, but Stuart Murdoch was on a rich vein for a while there. And followed it up with another two albums and another EP within the next couple of years. B&S are probably my favourite band, and Sinister is probably their most consistent album, certainly until The Life Pursuit. Personally I prefer Tigermilk and have a soft sport for Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, bt this doesn't stop this being a pretty darned good album with songs on it that I want to keep on coming back to. Lyrics as always full of whimsy: nice to see Rediffusion joining C&A and M&S, and quite what Hillary was up to I'm not entirely certain. I get why people may not like them, but for me they're full of joy. So, I didn't have to download this because it was already there. I listened four times on my commute – perfect length album here as well btw – and then stuck the vinyl copy on later in the day to dance around the living room to like no one was watching (they weren't). Obviously it's an album I love, so five stars is a given. But it's also massively influential and full of great stuff. It is astonishing quite how much really good stuff they produced in such a short time.
This is why I am here, to educate myself on music that passed me by but I might have enjoyed. And although this is not quite up my street (bit of a let down after that intro 😅) I admire the musicianship, quality, thought and intensity on display. In another time I might just have loved it.
Picture this: you're 17 and dating a boy who is a little *too* into Belle and Sebastian and looks a little *too* like Frodo Baggins (does correlation imply causation?) Anyway. As a result you write them off for years, and when you finally do listen to a full album, it is exactly the sort of miscellaneous soft indie movie music you expected a pretentious frodo baggins-lookin teen to like and nothing more. Fairly enjoyable to listen to but a bit dull. Now, this isn't their fault, but on the second track I thought it really kicked up a gear and was tapping along like wow this is awesome! But it turned out I had pre-queued a track by The Blue Stones. 🤘
Recognize "Get Me Away from here, I'm Dying". Must be in a movie. I'm familiar with Belle and Sebastian, but never a full listen. It was ok. Easy listening, indie stuff.
I appreciate what they're doing, but this brand of soft indie isn't for me.
Kind of Charlie Brown theme music with melancholic, sing-songy vocals? I don’t know. I liked it. It’s not my first time listening to Belle and Sebastian, I’ve just only listened to different songs before and not a full album. I like the mood this set, it's not completely my kind of thing but I did like the majority of the songs!
**_If You're Feeling Sinister_** by **Belle & Sebastian** (1996) is widely regarded as one of the most influential and beloved indie pop albums of the 1990s. It blends literary storytelling, melancholic introspection, and delicate melodies into a quietly ambitious work that has aged remarkably well. Here's a detailed breakdown of the album across its key aspects: --- ### 🎤 **Lyrics** The lyrics are the album’s beating heart. Stuart Murdoch writes like a novelist, crafting vivid character studies filled with emotional nuance, existential doubt, and sly humor. Songs like **“The Stars of Track and Field”**, **“If You’re Feeling Sinister”**, and **“Me and the Major”** introduce us to characters who are lonely, bookish, sexually confused, or spiritually adrift. These are not grand narratives but intimate snapshots of ordinary, intelligent people navigating life’s quiet disappointments. Murdoch’s characters often feel like outsiders—queer, religious, or socially awkward—and he treats them with empathy and wit. Lines like *“Hilary went to her death because she thought she’d never feel this way again”* or *“Chances are you’ll probably feel better if you stayed and played with yourself”* are both devastating and darkly funny, showcasing his gift for emotional ambiguity. --- ### 🎸 **Music** Musically, the album draws from 60s pop, folk, and jangle rock, with a heavy nod to artists like **Bob Dylan**, **The Velvet Underground**, and **Felt**. The arrangements are deceptively simple: soft acoustic guitars, brushed drums, gentle basslines, and the occasional trumpet or string flourish. Tracks like **“Like Dylan in the Movies”** and **“Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying”** build to subtle crescendos, while **“The Fox in the Snow”** is a stark, haunting piano ballad. Despite its lo-fi aesthetic, the music is melodic and emotionally resonant. The band’s ability to make melancholy sound beautiful is one of their greatest strengths. --- ### 🎧 **Production** The production, while charming, is one of the album’s more divisive aspects. Recorded quickly and with limited resources, the mix is often described as “murky” or “undercooked.” Some instruments feel buried, and the vocals occasionally lack clarity. Murdoch himself has expressed dissatisfaction with the original recording, later re-recording the album live in hopes of improving it. Still, the rawness of the production adds to the album’s intimacy. It feels like a secret shared among friends—imperfect, but deeply personal. --- ### 🧠 **Themes** Thematically, _If You’re Feeling Sinister_ explores: - **Alienation and isolation** - **Sexual identity and confusion** - **Religious doubt and existential searching** - **The quiet despair of everyday life** - **The redemptive power of art and literature** These themes are often filtered through Murdoch’s own experiences, particularly his battle with chronic fatigue syndrome, which left him housebound for years. The result is a deeply introspective album that finds beauty in boredom and meaning in mundanity. --- ### 🌍 **Influence** The album’s influence is immense, especially in the American indie scene. Artists like **Sufjan Stevens**, **The Decemberists**, **Death Cab for Cutie**, and **The Shins** have all cited Belle & Sebastian as a major influence. The band’s blend of literary lyricism and melodic sophistication helped redefine what indie pop could be—emotional, intellectual, and quietly subversive. --- ## ✅ **Pros** - **Brilliantly written lyrics** filled with literary depth and emotional nuance - **Memorable melodies** and sophisticated yet understated arrangements - **Strong thematic cohesion**—a fully realized emotional and narrative world - **Influential and enduring**—a cornerstone of 90s indie music - **Intimate and relatable**, especially for introverts, outsiders, and bookish listeners --- ## ❌ **Cons** - **Lo-fi production** may feel underwhelming or dated to some listeners - **Mood consistency**—the album’s subdued tone can feel monotonous if you’re not in the right headspace - **Lack of dynamic range**—some tracks blend together due to similar tempos and textures - **Not immediately accessible**—the subtlety of the songwriting may take time to appreciate ### 🏁 **Final Thoughts** _If You're Feeling Sinister_ is a quiet masterpiece. It doesn’t shout or swagger—it whispers, and in doing so, it draws you into its world of lonely bedsits, library daydreams, and half-finished love letters. It’s an album for the bookish, the heartbroken, and the hopelessly romantic. While its production flaws are real, they’re also part of its charm. Few albums capture the ache of being young, smart, and sad with such grace. **Essential Listening For:** Fans of literate indie pop, introspective storytelling, and emotionally nuanced songwriting. **Standout Tracks:** - *The Stars of Track and Field* - *If You’re Feeling Sinister* - *Like Dylan in the Movies* - *Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying* - *The Fox in the Snow*
4,5
The singles are overly played but the deep cuts are incredible.
Lyrically a bit too inane at times but lovely tunes.
A masterwork
Ik moet dit album niet te goed gaan luisteren, want die zanger zit heel de tijd net niet lekker op de juiste toonhoogte en dat kan me gaan irriteren. Het zal een stylistische keuze zijn, maar dat maakt het nog geen goede keuze. Dus ik probeer het een beetje over me heen te laten komen en niet teveel op de zang te letten. Ook dan weet ik niet helemaal wat ik er van moet vinden. Het is te druk voor trage uit-het-raam-staren-terwijl-het-buiten-regent-luisterliedjes, tegelijk is het ook iets te dunnetjes qua geluid om veel meer dan dat te zijn. Het is zeker geen ellende. "The Fox in the Snow" vind ik bijvoorbeeld best een mooi nummer en zo zijn er wel wat meer fijne momentjes, her en der. Het helt soms een beetje richting Nick Drake (de titeltrack als grootste voorbeeld hiervan), maar simpel gezegd: Dan zet ik liever Nick Drake aan. Ik ben blij dat dit in de lijst staat, want ik kende de naam al langer maar had nog nooit (bewust) iets van ze gehoord. Ik geef de mensen die hiervan genieten ook niet per se ongelijk. Ik zat lang aan 2 sterren te denken, maar ik maak er toch maar een hele nipte voldoende van. En nu is het tijd om Bryter Later nog maar eens aan te zetten.
Like the Smiths through a Brita filter
If Twee were a musical genre it would sound like this. Odd that I never properly listened to them before. Fun stuff.
A bit twee on the whole, but at the same time I, too, cry at endings. It's been a pleasure to meet B&S. ✅✅✅ Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying ✅✅✅✅ If You're Feeling Sinister
An all timer
I struggle to review albums that are fine. I liked it, but is it good?
love B&S, this was nice, not gonna crack the repeat rotation though
Very whingeing whiny voice that grates a bit too much after a while. Songs all quite samey and - wait - did I hear a stylophone? Much as I loved playing about on my grandad’s stylophone in the ‘70s, there’s no place for it in proper music. Put it in back in the toy box with your recorder, kazoo and harmonica (and then drop the box off a cliff).
#142/1001. I've always wanted to be a Belle and Sebastian fan, but they never adopted me.
Great from start to end. One of the best twee albums. 8/10
Me ha encantado, tanto que me lo he guardado para comprarme el vinilo. No se si el clima increíble que está haciendo hoy en Alicante es el culpable, pero me parece un disco con un aura super alegre a pesar de los temas que trata.
Yawn
I was pleasantly surprised by this album. It’s very lovely. It took a little to get used to this style of vocals, but I think that it really suits the music. It has a very lovely sound, even when the lyrics are on the darker side. It has a pretty unique style and enough variety that even though much of the record is slower, it doesn’t ever get boring. 4/5
Len Houmous famously bedded both Belle & Sebastian after one of his famous acid trips. 3.6 10/10 Judy And The Dream Of Horses
eh
I enjoyed the music on this album. I’m always a fan of horns and some of the songs have them. I can’t put my finger on why, but the singers voice bothers me. So I doubt I’ll return to this album because of that, if not for the singer this could be a 4 star for me. Mayfly and Judy and the Dream of Horses are my two favorite songs.
Couple of good songs but not really much variety to keep it interesting over a full album
Excellent. Peerless.
Feels like the more pleasant version of Sufjan Stevens. Specifically, almost every song on here had a fantastic last minute or so. These songs are very well written and performed. The catch, for me, is I couldn’t care less about the lyrical content. Not in a bad way! But he could just be saying anything and I’d enjoy it no more or less. “If You’re Feeling Sinister” is my standout pick on this project. A great road trip song with some Americana inspiration. Much like the bossa record we had yesterday, this kinda sits at one placid wavelength from beginning to end. On a bad day, I wouldn’t have much tolerance for this one. On a good day, it’s a great, relaxing accompaniment to whatever I’m doing. Firm 3/5
Favorite Track: Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying
I don’t understand this album’s place in time. It’s not an album from 1996. Maybe the mid 2010s. Also, it’s like Beck and maybe The Decemberists had a special cousin who they were being kind to and let in the studio for a bit.
I think if this had come out five years earlier when I was 14 and not 19, I probably would know every word on this album. Kudos all around but a bit twee, although happy to have an opportunity to use the word twee in these not very twee times.
I'm not really feeling sinister with this one. To me this feels more like a well made factory product than art. Which is weird since it doesn't sound overproduced like you would expect from such music. The shapes and colours are near perfect and the flaws are calculated, I'm sure that many people will not look behind the veil. It's trying to be something that it is not. The lyrics draw me in but leave me with nothing afterwards. I guess it is a bit sinister in how it feels like a soulless mimic of a good album.
Some good on here like the title track but a lot of it just felt like rip off morrisey vocals on top of limited and odd instrumentals. Can only go for 2 stars
Chill mellow stuff. Nothing Id personally go looking for but not bad. 2.5 goin down.
Agradável e melódico. Eu gosto da voz do cantor, e admito que fui um dos enganados pelo nome da banda, achando que haveria duetos entre um homem e uma mulher. E é engraçado porque eu tenho três CDs da banda na minha coleção! Comprei-os por gostar de suas capas, mas fui procrastinando ouvi-los. Aparentemente, hoje é o dia de ouvir ao menos um deles. Admito e não escondo que álbuns nesse estilo songwriter não são totalmente minha pira. Mas mesmo assim, consigo apreciar um ou outro, como os do Leonard Cohen que já gerei até então. E felizmente, este disco também entra nessa célebre lista. A instrumentalização é interessante e muito bem temperada. Com isso quero dizer que ela salienta muito bem os momentos mais quietos e os mais barulhentos. E além disso, a produção, de forma geral, é um prazer aos ouvidos. Melodias agradáveis cantadas por uma voz agradável, narrando canções quase adolescentes. É bem gostoso. 4/5
Creative, talented, varied, pretty. Really enjoyed this
I love this album; it's so beautiful and subtly haunting, yet simultaneously cozy and comforting. But I guess it's comforting in the same way that being stranded in a small, warm cabin in a raging blizzard is comforting. There's nothing really comfortable about that situation, aside from the way you'd feel in the present moment. I feel the same way listening to this album; it's more sheltering in that way - I mean, listen to the lyrics of the title track, it's honestly kinda depressing I find. Either way, many of the songs here I've been revisiting for years. 'Like Dylan In The Movies' has maybe my favorite introduction on the album - such a slick bass and drum groove with some light acoustic strumming that still holds that subtlety and softness that's a staple in B&S' music. 'The Fox In The Snow' has maybe the most gorgeous outro on the entire record - I love that little moment in the end with the back-and-forth vocals and what I can never tell is a string or a horn. All the instrumentals and playing on this album are top-notch - I'd say it rivals albums like 'The Queen Is Dead' in just how varied and colourfully produced and arranged it all is, without ever feeling overwhelming. My favorite song, which has always resonated with me the most, is 'Me And The Major'. Maybe I'm a bit too old to relate to it now, but it's a pretty on-the-nose song with lyrics that still ring true generations later. It's also ridiculously catchy and the most upbeat thing here. 'Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying' also stuck with me back when I first heard this - a song that seems to be about someone talking, or singing, about life from his unfiltered point of view - in a way, the protagonist is sick of the way reality around him is plastered in so much false optimism. Every song on this album kicks ass, such a uniquely colorful album, with some of the greatest writing you can find in a '90s folk rock album. Phenomenal.
That was very ...meh. I think Josh Pike, or maybe Architecture in Helsinki would be an appropriate replacement.
Genre: Chamber Pop As far as albums that try and clone the Beatles sound go, this one is pretty good. Well-produced, well-mixed, but altogether a little bland, and a little too twee for my liking. Some great songwriting, but not the blow-you-away kind I was hoping for considering the reverence this record has. Will revisit. 3/5
Distinct Belle & Sebastian sounds but feels a little homogeneous
Twee chamber pop that starts strong and ends strong with 'Judy and the Dream Horses' with some tasty Burt Bacharach-ish horns but between the first and last song is a lot of songs that vary very little in overall feel and quality which is quite high but much too similar to each other. Belle And Sebastian are a band that I could never fully dismiss nor embrace & this album is exactly why- song after song, album after album it all just melts together, blends together and as pretty as the music on this album is (and pretty much every album because they don't change a great deal from album to album) it just old. If this was a one-off side project by some unknown group of musicians, I would rate it a 4/5 maybe even a 5/5 if I was feeling sinister but this band has some 12 albums out. That's close to THREE DECADES of the same precious shit and I'm so very tired. A sincere fuck off/you to the always frustrating 1001 list for including TWO ALBUMS by Belle and Sebastian. Assholes the lot of you.
Oh I thought this album was just really boring and insipid. Did not even appreciate the Nick Drake pastiches even if they were "ahead of their time."
I quite enjoyed this. it has the same indie pop sound of a few artists I listen to yet I've never heard of them. I can't say it's anything particularly special but I think I'll listen again. I have found that I often grow to like this kind of music more over time.
Good sound, the vocals are very 60's folk. You can hear where later indie bands would be inspired by this sound. It definitely scratches an itch of indie-folk-pop that I enjoy.
Catchy tunes, just not the most memorable. Still fun!
"Making friends on the Disney Cruise by telling them I love Belle and Sebastian" - Ryan Letourneau Nah, this album absolutely rocks. One of my favourite new discoveries off the list so far. Has already been added into regular rotation which is pretty much the biggest compliment you can give anything. Definitely has a stronger first half than second but it's still all great. Fav tracks: Like Dylan In The Movies, The Stars of Track and Field, If You're Feeling Sinister, Me and The Major
Sounds like the Decemberists filtered through Nick Drake. For 1996 I think this album is impressive; I'd have guessed it was from a little later (that's probably due to its own influence in the early 2000s). Highlight pick: "Like Dylan in the Movies."
The vocals remind me of the Kinks. The horns remind me of Burt Bacharach songs. The soft acoustic guitar makes me sleepy. Zzzzzzz.... 2.5/5
cool
Nice vibe, hadn't heard any songs of this before but did enjoy a couple, what I've heard of their other albums makes me think those might be better though
"A strong album... i hear influences like The Kinks and Nick Drake... "Stars of Track and Field" open it up nicely... and... they don't look back... like... "Dylan in the Movies" lol... clever... this album is a collection of really good pop songs... with clever lyrics, and a charming vocal delivery by the front man... Stuart Murdoch... who, i think, likes to feign sexual fluidity... as he's totally hetero, and a father... anyway... he's almost as old as me... and i can hear the influences in his alternative sound, as opposed to some other alternative acts that don't have that influence... every song on this record is strong... and, if played ad infinitum like a lot of the records of the sixties and seventies, would get five stars... but, i'll give it Four... and... i'll throw in an extra star for any album that has trumpet playing a major part... ok... FIVE STARS..."
Très chill, pop très live, très orchestrale. C'est un bel album, qui ne m'a cependant pas vraiment marqué. Mais à mettre en fond pourquoi pas !
I do wish we were able to preserve some of that 2000s indie tweed sound. It was cute. But maybe that’s all it ever was. B&S were a fun band, but you won’t be convinced they were a must-hear band after this album.
If you're feeling sinister and would like to no longer feel sinister, this twee collection of indie pop tunes just might sand down those rough edges of yours.
Really good and Chad. 4.5
His voice and style of music feels like he'd be in a movie as a love interest, and if it was a movie for teenagers he'd come off as a really cool and deep guy, but if it was a movie for anyone older he'd be the current boyfriend of the love interest and he'd be so obviously lame. Both characters would be played exactly the same way. It's not awful but it just makes me want to listen to other artists that did it better.
I've heard this groups name too much but never listened. I'm not in the mood for this. Just feels like it lacks the warmth of it's predecessors. I would not say that this is required listening.
A pleasant, gentle album but not strikingly beautiful or otherwise gripping. Favorites: Like Dylan in the Movies
Elevator music. Not bad, but totally forgettable.
The rich, engaging lyrics, the gentle acoustic guitar tracks, the surprising but perfectly placed trumpet solo, and the extended crescendo to close out - so good, and yet the album is only getting started. Every song on here is skillfully composed and so enjoyable.
Softly-sung tunes about quiet desperation. It was fine, but also undeniably I was waiting for this to end.
pretty good
This was just sooo nice to listen to. Fox in the Snow and The Boy Done Wrong Again made me cry on a mountain pass. I love the ways the songs build into beautiful crescendos of harmonicas, strings, horns. Faith in 1001albumsgenerator restored 🙏
I got so emotional seeing this as the album of the day! I loved this album so much and it’s such a time capsule for me. I listened to this constantly my senior year of high school, especially developing photos in my high school darkroom. This album smells like darkroom chemicals and feels like unrequited teenage love! My favorites remain Stars of Track of Field, Get Me Away from Here, and my ultimate favorite, Judy and the Dream of Horses. God I love that song! But really this whole album just speaks to me and all my feelings at a very particular point in time AND holds up!
It’s fine. Won’t go back but glad I came across it.
My second belle & Sebastian album, and while it's very sweet and detailed, I kind of had a hard time gelling with it. From the title track on, things did connect a little better, so maybe I just need to listen a few more times, but for now I don't have a lot of strong feelings or interesting takes on this. I will say though, even if I'm not floored here, the craftsmanship is pretty amazing. It's another Belle and Sebastian album that feels like a real labor of love, which does endear me to it on some level.
'Tigermilk' squeezed a four star rating out of me, in spite of myself. I'm not entirely convinced we need a second Belle & Sebastian album on this list, never mind one that followed just six months later and sounds like more of exactly the same. I guess that makes this more a critique of the list's authors than the album itself but I can only speak to my own organic response. It's more perfectly nice, gentle folky indie with some clever lyrics and inoffensive melodies. But it's not doing anything I haven't heard before, whether on its predecessor or any of the seven or eight albums they made using this exact formula in the decade or so that followed. I found myself quite enjoying Barfly but then I realised it was basically the same melody line as She Bangs The Drums. If you'd not spotted that yet, you'll not be able to unhear it now, so, you're welcome! Nice and easy listening but not particularly exciting.
Repetitive
I was obsessed w/ Belle & Sebastian for a bit a little over a year ago. Rlly enjoy this. might come back and change to a 5.
6/10 - I think iniyaa likes them and I see why. I liked the first song but on relistens I find it decent instead of good
A couple great songs and some alright ones
I can't do all the Belle and Sebastian albums anymore (some just bore me), but this one was catchy enough to make me a little sad when it ended. I was kind of getting into a groove and almost put on some more B&S (before remembering that this is the only album I probably still like). Still shoegaze, but solid hooks and enough solid songwriting to sound more "indie" than "boring" to me.
Nope. Twee ain't for me. This is pablum that holds no interest for me.
I've always had mixed feelings about Belle and Sebastian, but this album fell into the "Enjoyable, but not earth-shattering" side o he divide.
Beautiful stuff. I think I prefer my belle and Sebastian when there more rocky, but the eccentric songwriting - lyrics and harmony - is still there.
Pretty nice, but no strong feelings from me 3.6/5
Like dylan in the movies, fox in the snow, get me away from here i'm dying...son temas que me llevan flipando años 🥰🥰
47/1089 aspects of this feel like a precursor to Sufan Stevens. It’s a very pleasant album, i think i prefer it over Tigermilk, it’s just relaxed vibes. However the vocal style can feel very monotone and almost too put on which is jarring for me sometimes. faves: Me and the Major, Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying and If You’re Feeling Sinister I wish they’d dug more into the style of Electronic Renaissance from Tigermilk with this project but instead they seemingly ditched it completely unfortunately 3 stars or 61/100
De kan ju omöjligen ha mer än ett album med på listan. Så varför detta och inte Dear Catastrophe Waitress eller Boy with the Arab Strap? Fyra bara för att det är B&S.
A very sweet album perfect for being under a blanket on a rainy day in Scotland. Maybe for my taste a little too cute and safe but some great lyrics.
After the first song i thought - Scottish Jim Croce or Harry Chapin? Also parts of it sounds a lot like Tracy Ullman's They Don't Know About Us. Me and the Major was a good tune. The rest was sleep inducing songs "sung" by a guy who probably can't sing. I say that because he never gose above a whiney drone
Amazing. No time to explain but yeah
Really liked this record, songs are lyrically dense with almost sad wistful lyrics but offset with upbeat fun indie pop melodies. The vocal delivery is somewhat reminiscent of Nick Drake. I can imagine they were a huge influence on indie pop bands of the 2000s.
Awful
One of my favorite albums
good album
Listenable
Degelijk album. Ik dacht altijd dat Belle & Sebastian draaide rond een duo ofzo, maar blijkbaar is dit een band met 5-6 leden. Niet dus. Anyway, goed als achtergrond muziek. Ik heb een aantal nummers opgeslagen voor m'n 90s playlist, maar dat is het ook. De middenmoot dus. 3.0
a vida é bela
Not a fan.
I just can’t get into Belle & Sebastian. They’re perfectly fine musically, but the vocals always strike me as monotonous, like someone reading a story in a sing-song voice rather than actually performing it. It’s odd, because I can hear how this album influenced bands I do enjoy, like The Decemberists and Death Cab for Cutie, yet it still doesn’t land for me. While those later groups took Belle & Sebastian’s introspective, bookish style and gave it more warmth and energy, If You’re Feeling Sinister feels emotionally distant, like it's clever, but detached. I can respect its influence, but it’s not one I’ll be coming back to.
First track “The Stars of Track & Field” starts a little slow, and I was about to write this one off, but then it hits its stride. It’s followed by “Seeing Other People” which is super catchy. From there it’s a little up and down. Has some very “Smiths” moments and the last couple of tracks are totally Nick Drake inspired. I’m willing to bet these guys influenced Vampire Weekend too. Overall, it’s a good record. Wouldn’t call it GREAT, but I liked most of it.
eh, alright, not my type of music
If I didn’t know any better I would think it was the Kinks with just slightly less energy. Not a bad listen.
Не самый большой фанат инди музыки, но альбом замечательный. Крайне меланхоличный и невероятно душевный, заставляющий поверить в лучшее. Думаю, исходя из названия альбома, в этом и была его самоцель, - дать слушателю надежду
belle and sebastian isch en bandname woni irgendwie scho easy oft ghört han aber hamer nonie öpis aglost ha nume gwüsst indie glaub und 90er. und da isches definitiv ab de erste zwei songs. aber sehr singer-songwritermässig. seeing other people erinneret mich sehr a ricky don't lose that number. schlagzüg beat klavier pattern und goaub sogar vibraphon? sehr cool er singt sehr indie-relaxt aber cool. bi me and the major findi d mundharmonika recht nervig eigentli. de song isch easy. like dylan in the movies?? whöt. aso ich chas mer vorstelle glaub ? get me away im dying hani chli monotoner gfunde. uf you're feeling sinister cooli klavier iwürf. s het alles irgendwie öpis. aso finds sehr langsam und nüt devo isch würkli groovy aber d text sind guet. und d lieder sind recht kreativ. okay klassischs 3. würkli rene schudel 3
uhh das tönt spannend! sehr intim me and the major isch chli nervig allgemein isch de vibe aber iwie mega schön, sehr kuschelig und ruhig omg if you're feeling sinister kenni vo iwo her? so oder so hanis megaaa gern!! han nöd sooo vill z sege iwie, aber ich hans echt no es schöns album gfunde. wird jz glaub nöd ständig zruggchehre, aber die ruhige und intimi art hetmer gfalle if you're feeling sinister banger!
So this is the apex of twee pop, according to RYM. Hmm. I often sees twee pop as a super naive sounding music genre. And I know I am wrong as this album stood somewhere between the sentimental bullshit of French pop, the jangly guitar of the Smiths and general 60s folk rock. But this blend of genres made me of unease more. Although the lightly bittersweet and breezy atmosphere is something I am usually found of, the majority of this album feels not on my radar. And some arrangements have a weird country tinge, especially on the title track. You know I don’t like country. I’m feeling sinister so I would like to give this a 3. No, a 4. Honestly many songs are not so bad but they are just not that for me.
Made it through the whole album, but not the best. A little raw.
1. The Stars of track and field - 7/10 2. Seeing Other People - 7.5/10 3. Me and the major - 7.5/10 4. Like Dylan in the movies - 7/10 5. The fox in the snow - 8/10 6. Get me away from here I'm dying - 8/10 7. If youre feeling sinister - 7/10 8. Mayfly - 8/10 9. The Boy Done Wrong Again - 7/10 10. Judy and the Dream of Horses - 7/10 74/100
Stor positiv overraskelse! Meget mere varieret og interessant end den sidste vi havde med dem
Følsom indie klassiker! Jeg har nok hørt den her plade 100 gange og elsker den som få andre plader. Glad for at den er her og det ikke kun er Tigermilk som også er god men er lidt meh i forhold til.
Feels like the OG Fleet Foxes
Great album every song was fun to listen to
Didn’t do very much for me.
it's definitely one of the indie albums of all time.
its a pretty sounding album however nothing really stands out to me, theres plenty of other twee pop and jangle that id much rather listen to lol
this shit is some basic white people slop, meh.
Belle and Sebastian are another band who have been on the edge of my consciousness and have made a mental note to research their music but never got around to it. So it was welcoming to get this album today so I could at last give it my attention it deserved. Not disappointed in the least as the album is full of gentle melodic tunes which immediately struck a chord with me. The name Belle and Sebastian conjures up to me calm and warmness. A lovely cozy feeling which this album projects. Not going to go mad and buy their entire back catalog but happy now that I know what their music consists of and will always be on the lookout for their albums as I scourer the charity shop CD’s. 3/5 18/8/25
No va
A friendly pleasant soothing folksy album. Didn't think I would enjoy it, but it was perfect for a bike ride.
Was not very impressed on my first blind listen. Just really not my vibe, and the 90's indie scene doesn't tickle my fancy. Lyrics are just not great, signing is meh, and it just doesn't make me feel anything but bored. 1.5/5. The lyrics remind me a lot of the Beatles, but not in a good way.
Like these but very steady away
Pour une fois, les labels "pop indie rock" n'ont pas débouché sur un truc sans intérêt, c'est notable.
** Harmless and boring
I so want to like B&S (probably what their fans call them, like, "hey let's listen to some B&S and drink kombucha absinthe cocktails). Maybe if I did that, I might enjoy this more, to be honest.
Why's he whispering the whole time
Not my typical style but it was good song writing
Music a Zooey Dechenel character would listen to (derogatory)
pretty good but nothing special to me
I'm aware of Belle and Sebastian mainly because I know that Isobel Campbell was a member before working with **Mark Lanegan**. She's not the main vocalist here though and I didn't really pick her out in my one listen although listening to B&S, I can hear the softness in the sound that the she brings to that collaboration. And that was my main gripe with this! It all sounds nice but just lacks a bit of bite for my tastes. So it sort of meandered past me without really catching my attention for the most part and then I was surprised when it had finished. It all sounds nice and fine, but it's not one that has complled me to put it on again.
to make good indie rock/indie pop, you have to be believably honest. This does that perfectly to me. Feels super nice and cozy. Great listen before bed. 98/100
Sweet songwriting and beautiful vocals provide you with a very intimate indie pop experience. Autumn music for me. Interesting that the artists requested to not promote this LP and not put out a single from this. Especially like the tracks like dylan in the movies, if youre feeling sinister and the boy done wrong again.
Nähtävästi Sebastian on laulaja sillä mies ääni. Ei hassumpaa, hidastempoista nykyään sanottaisi varmaan indie kamaa.
Hyggelig og roligt. Jeg lagde især mærke til den måde perspektivet ændre sig på for fortælleren. Sjovt nok.
Fint og finurligt
I mean, this was fun. It was about what I expected from a Belle & Sebastian album. Mellow, but not in a bad way. It made for some chill background music while doing other things.
I love Belle and Sebastian. Their songs sound so sweet and earnest, but there is often a really dark, sometimes anti-organized religion, twist in their songs. I love the subversiveness of it. Maybe in a word, it's "sinister!" Liked Songs Added: The Stars Of Track And Field Like Dylan In The Movies Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying Mayfly The Boy Done Wrong Again Judy And The Dream Of Horses
Another love 'em or hate 'em situation. Not my cup of tea
Слушал два раза. Альбом заинтересовал.
Honestly just didn't really draw me in in any way.
Boring.
A little too soft and feely for my liking.
Love the harmonicas and the double time drums on everything. Interesting lyrics. Felt older than 1996.
My critical thinking is close to the level of a pre-school child, so I enjoy a lot of things. This album is not an exception, but with todays indie pop artists like TV girl it starts looking kind of empty. Somebody here said that the album sounds like "looking out the window on a roadtrip" and I cannot agree more. It wasn't a bad album, I just think that nobody is gonna remember it. Favourite song - The boy done wrong again
Indie pop is very hit or miss for me and this album is a miss. I can't really tell you who though. It might be the singing that sounds sad even in the more up beat songs. It might be the random flute not quite feeling like it was on pitch. Most likely is that its all the small things together that makes me not want to listen to this again.
Prior to listening, I read that this is considered their best album, and since I already liked Tigermilk a lot, I was excited. This seems about on par with Tigermilk, in my opinion. Both are good, but I don't think this one is any better. I considered giving this 4 stars, but I know that I'm not going to return to it often, if ever really. It's a 7 out of 10; rounding down to 3 stars.
we are out of the rock-pocalypse :tada: soft pop
Sounds like Jim Croce singing for Coldplay, but less entertaining. I could not wait for this boring garbage to be done. If you’re feeling sinister, listen to a Slayer album, not this. Drinking the juice that drips from garbage truck would be more satisfying than this record. 1001 album worthy: aww hell naw 102/190
5.5/10 Highlights: Get me Away from Here Im Dying Me and the Major
I used to listen to Belle & Sebastian albums all the time. Listening to this one now reminds me that I miss them.
I have always felt I should listen to Belle and Sebastian, and have tried on a few occasions without it taking hold. I love the albums Isobel Campbell did with Mark Lanegan, and as much for her voice as Lanegan's, but I don't get the same appeal from her old band. Admittedly she wasn't in charge then. If You're Feeling Sinister is very pleasant, easy listening pop which is great background music. This is the second time I listened to the album recently and I did get more from it. It reminds me a little of Nick Drake (another artist I never really got). There are influences from French Pop and I can hear Ray Davies in some of the lyrics, in fact perhaps delving into the lyrics would deliver more, and I may try more of their records in the future.
I, too, was disappointed by the lack of either a Belle or a Sebastian. 3/5
If You're Feeling Sinister is not my favorite Belle & Sebastian album, though it is a good album. I think I prefer Tigermilk and a few of their later albums to this one. I think Dear Catastrophe Waitress may be my overall favorite. If You're Feeling Sinister is still a really good album and if you know Belle & Sebastian's work then I think you will like this one. I know the music can feel very "twee" and that's not really an accusation the band can avoid, mostly because it is true. For me, this album has some really big highs and then other songs I just think are decent Belle & Sebastian songs. If you liked Tigermilk then I think you would like this one as well. The best songs are: Stars of Track & Field Seeing Other People (great song) Like Dylan in the Movies The Fox in the Snow Get Me Away from Here, I'm dying (great song) If You're Feeling Sinister
It’s ok
Skemmtilegir textar og þægileg plata! Mjög gott stöff.
Ósköp ljúft og þægilegt, en aðeins og pólerað fyrir mig. Pure easy listening. 3,5
Huh, this one was different. I have never heard of this band or this album until when I got it, so I didn’t really know what to expect. The album wasn’t my favorite, but it wasn’t awful. It feels like the took inspiration from bands like The Smiths when making the album, and it shows on songs like, Like Dylan in the Movies and The Stars of Track and Field. The album had some good spots like Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying, but a lot of the tracks I just don’t feel like I’d come back to. This is another case where I don’t really feel like I have much new to say about the album except for, it was fine.
Another band that I never understood why everyone raved about them - they just don't do it for me. They're reminiscent of Kevin Ayers and their vocal style is just as depressing.
Thoughts before listening: "Twee" indie pop, whatever that means. My recollection of Belle and Sebastian is light, poppy folk-inspired indie rock with some very catchy songs. I have liked what I have heard from them even if they never necessarily became one of my favorites. In fact I don't believe I ever owned or even downloaded one of their albums, despite them being covered on the same sites and playing the same festivals as the bands I did latch on to. Review: The Allmusic review for this album calls it a mixture of Simon and Garfunkel with the Smiths and I think thats probably accurate. There is definitely a folky, acoustic underlying sound going on here, albeit run through a certain shimmery indie rock filter. I like this...in fact I'd say its hard to hate something that is so catchy and inoffensive (I'm sure people will find a way though). My favorite songs are the ones that pick up the pace a bit and lean on the indie rock side of their sound: "The Stars of Track and Field", "Me and the Major", "Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying", and "Mayfly". 4-stars
Another band that I believed to be some sappy Brit pop losers but was amazed to find out I liked. They had intricate melodies and I liked the urgency of some of the songs. I would have given it four stars but it felt quite derivative and reminded me of Pulp/Richard Hawley
Horribly basic sounding. The vocals do nothing particularly interesting, not quite talking, certainly not singing. The lyrics are unintelligent and random.
pretty good, chill and calming as always from them
Nope. I've heard enough of this rubbish before. You can't fool me. Buuuut, we're here to keep an open mind. First track, like a less interesting more jangly, Mountain Goats. I like mountain goats, I don't like this poppy shite. Second track. Fuck this is tedious. Let's ffwd to the most played songs. 'Get me away I'm dying"? I know how you feel mate. From Wikipedia "They are often compared with acts such as the Smiths..." Fucking knew it. Cut to the sound of a record needle being violently scratched across the platter as I can't get this crap off soon enough. One.
The Stars of Track and Field Like Dylan in the Movies The Fox in the Snow Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying Judy and the Dream of Horses
Too slow and folksy for my liking
• 5/5 • Indie chamber-pop at its best. The album is stacked front to back with great singles, and holds together sonically and thematically without feeling monotonous. • Such stripped down production
You know what they say; sometimes it takes a second go at something to really get it. Case in point, Belle and Sebastian! I liked Tigermilk well enough when I listened to it in June 2024. Certainly not bad in the slightest, but it didn't really speak to me that much personally. It was a solid debut album and not much more than that. I don't really think it needs to be on the list, but that's not because of its own quality. Rather, I think Tigermilk's inclusion is unnecessary because of it being outclassed by its followup, If You're Feeling Sinister. This album is fantastic. I love this so much. It has the things that worked on Tigermilk, but there's something here that just feels more special. Maybe it's just that the songs are better. I don't know. The songs here are all great. There's not a weak one in the bunch. "The Stars of Track and Field" is a great opener. I really like the vibes of "Like Dylan in the Movies." It's got the soft acoustic feel of the whole album, but it's got this quicker movement to it that I think is pretty cool. The album's highlight for me is "Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying," which is one of those songs that just feels like it's been around forever even though I'd never heard it before and it was only written in 1996. Amazing song. The singing is pleasant. Stuart Murdoch is proof that Scottish accents can sound great in singing. The instrumentation is great. It's soft, but it has a bit of energy to it. The album definitely gives off Nick Drake vibes, which is great because I love Nick Drake's music a lot. I've got to say, I'm impressed. I might even go back to Tigermilk to see if it appeals to me more now! Light 5/5.
Can’t say I was ever a big fan of B&S, but as a youth I had a sense of “these guys are innately cool because people who like other music I like, also like them.” I am amending that: they’re not innately cool, I find this album sort of annoying, and I probably won’t ever listen to it again.
An excellently produced album and Stuart #1's voice really shines through. Some really good songs and some OK ones.
Oh the things I've felt to this record. All separate character portraits of vastly different people struggling with depression, religion, and sexuality and not one of these stories feels underwritten. Murdoch and co. understand what it feels like to feel insignificant and to long for something you don't deserve. More importantly, they understand how much life there actually is to an unlived life. It's so intimate it feels as if these songs were ripped out of the diaries of teenagers. The Fox in the Snow may be one of the record's most cryptic songs but it fucking shatters my heart.
Fox in the Snow is absolutely breathtaking.
Perfectly mid
Another enjoyable album that was fine to listen to, but t just didn’t excite me much at first. But as it went on, I really found myself enjoying it. I’m getting a lot of three star albums lately but this is somewhere between a three and a four. In a perfect world, it would be seven out of 10 but on a five star scale I’ll round up to four.
I can get down with a good Wilco or Elliott Smith, but this one just kind of comes a little bland, it feels like it should be up my alley but I don't really see what other people seem to see in it, it just seems like ten relatively unexciting songs that don't sound particularly interesting or investing, and lyrically almost all of them just end up repeating themselves by the end of their not-incredibly-long runtimes, as if they're just sort of giving up Overall kinda milkwater album but I still give it credit for being a predecessor to better things, for 1996 I accept that it was a fresh experience, and it can keep a mid-to-low 3 and some fragmented self-respect That being said I'll be drinking from my aquarium now P.S. The album could benefit from some more Belles and whistles. That joke popped into my head after I finished my review and I CTRL-F'ed on the album review page to make sure I didn't just subconsciously steal it. I hereby clear myself of all suspicion
Excellent
3/5 dunno, was okay
How had I not heard this before?!
I'm seeing lots of albums like this, and really confused as to why they're an essential listen. I mean, I can think of 1001 albums that are better than this.
I’m really torn on this one. The music and instrumentation are solid, but the vocals and overall style just don’t do it for me. There’s an adolescent vibe to the whole thing that makes it feel like it’s not really aimed at someone like me. Still, I have to admit there’s something unique and original about it, even if it’s not entirely my thing.
Just like maybe any other Belle & Sebastian album, it's an overall sweet and relaxed listen, with some earworms here and there. If you're feeling sinister, the song, is also quite special to me as it reminds me of the day I bought my first car and then went to a life drawing class, and I made my best nude drawings ever while this song was in the background and I wasn't feeling sinister, but very accomplished, but that song made me happy anyway
Interesting and strange lyrics music was ok 2.5
I remember listening to Tigermilk earlier this year and walking away with a big ol’ shrug. If You're Feeling Sinister didn’t change that much for me. It’s not bad, just kind of there. Stuart Murdoch's voice has that soft, wispy thing going on, but it feels more fragile than compelling. Honestly, he sounds like a knockoff Nick Drake who couldn’t quite seal the deal. The songs are pleasant, and there’s a quiet charm in the arrangements, but nothing really grabs you and holds on. It’s the kind of album that floats in the background while you do something else. Not annoying enough to skip, but not strong enough to demand attention either.
9/10. could see this becoming a fav for me. best album I've first listened to from this
De muziek klinkt best goed, totdat de zanger erover heen begint te zingen. Wát is dat maaaaatig zeg! Echt oprecht, de melodieën zijn prima, niet wereldschokkend ofzo, maar gewoon prima te doen. Maar de zanger klinkt alsof het meer een parodie is op zingen dan daadwerkelijk zn best doen. De stem is te hoog en ik durf bijna te zeggen dat ik het beter zou kunnen. En ik word met karaoke avonden al vriendelijk verzocht om toch vooral een instrumentaal nummer te kiezen. God, wat sneu voor deze band. Alles klinkt prima en dan heb je die zanger die er een beetje overheen aan het janken is. Echt zonde dat hij op letterlijk elk nummer een veel te prominente rol speelt... Uiteindelijk, dan bij het allerlaatste nummer, heb ik het idee van 'dit is niet verschrikkelijk'. Is het Stockholm? Of ben ik gewoon gewend aan de stem? Of misschien kan het me niets meer boeien? In elk geval, het laatste nummer irriteert me niet en vind ik zelfs best wel goed. Ze krijgen een ster erbij voor het feit dat het muzikaal gewoon goed in elkaar zit. Als er een acapella nummer tussen had gezeten was het absoluut gewoon 1 ster. FAVO: Judy and the dream of horses
So good! Get me away from here I'm dying is elite
Don't know about this
cuando sepa ingles lo reescucho, no me gusta el ritml
Beautiful and well crafted indie pop songs. Eclectic instrument choices for what is primarily a guitar driven genre.
Pretty good, kinda chill indie vibes. Best song: The Stars of Track & Field Notable(s): Like Dylan in the Movies
No thanks
It's music. It doesn't grab me. It's just.... songs. Nothing special, just a meh fest
They received rave reviews when they emerged, couldn't really see why at the time. After listening to this album, I still can't. I don't think there is anything particularly exceptional about them. Not bad enough for a 1 though.
Such tediously boring vocals. And when there is an attempt at harmonies, it’s like finger nails on a chalk board. The quirky songs weren’t strong enough to save it.
This is a tricky one. Ive always avoided this lot as it didn't seem like my sort of thing. After the 2nd song, I was thinking ' this is not bad'. But then it started to get more tweets and folky as it went on. I don't mind twee, but folky is a no go.
Ist ein Album, was man gut so nebenher hören kann. Das hat einen ganz chilligen schönen vibe insgesamt. Es ist aber fast ohne Songs, die hängen bleiben. Highlights sind aber Like Dylan in the Movies (banger Chorus) und der Title-Track (bester vibe). Ist aber dumm, dass da Album mit dem schlechtesten Song anfängt (komische Chord Progression im Chorus und sehr langatmig irgendwie). Man hätte vielleicht mit Title Track anfangen sollen, weil der bisschen schwungvoller ist. Insgesamt könnte man sich's gut anhören, schöne, verträumte und manchmal melancholische Grundstimmung.
Könnte vansire sein wenn mehr synth
Музыка, которая кажется затянутой и скучной, пока не послушаешь достаточно. Очень нежное, и при этом очень странное. Музыка часто звучит очень однообразно, но почему-то не скучно. Вайб. Мне Тайгермилк больше нравится, но это тоже прекрасный альбом, особенно на спокойный вечер. Лучшая песня - If You Are Feeling Sinister.
Voetl een beetje sad aan maar tegelijkertijd ook vrolijk. Best wel gevoelige muziek maar ook fijn. Blijft je aandacht houden. Ben wel fan van dit album.
idk its pretty mid it may be good on a long road with a lot of trees on the way to a lake but other than that i don’t fw it.
Nice variety but a bit bland. Reminded me of a 90s version of Vampire Weekend, but just wished they had more energy.
Pretty good. Little slow
I’m really torn on this one. The music and instrumentation are solid, but the vocals and overall style just don’t do it for me. There’s an adolescent vibe to the whole thing that makes it feel like it’s not really aimed at someone like me. Still, I have to admit there’s something unique and original about it, even if it’s not entirely my thing.
Not bad, but I can't say I enjoyed it a lot.
Id heard of Belle & Sebastian before but I hadent really listened to them much. The music was overall pleasant if not a little simple for me. The songwriting was strong though- lots of themes of love and loss. Overall- good album
a fun little album!! i feel like i could heard some Stone Roses influences throughout but never a bad thing
No
Not my favourite offering of theirs.
It was ok. Nothing to write home about IMO
Why is this a top album? I even like Belle and Seabass, and I am kind of disappointed in this one.
very nioce
Nostalgic for some reason
I've heard Bell and Sebastian before, and thought I liked it. Must be somewhere else, because this wasn't it.
A couple of stand out tracks in an otherwise okay album.
Album 806 of 1089 Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (1996) Rating : 2.5 / 5 This doesn’t shout for attention but I suspect it earns devotion quietly through multiple listens
soft. hadn't heard about them before. para viajar está perfecto. es bastante tranquilizante. para poner de fondo mientras pintas o lees. día de verano vacaciones soleado sin nada que hacer que me levanto prontico.
Quite pleasant, even if a bit boring
I've only heard their 90s albums but this one is definitely my favorite. So influential on a genre I don't enjoy which makes the fact that I do enjoy this one all the more impressive. Rating: 4.7
6/10
If You're Feeling Sinister is a standout album that perfectly captures Belle & Sebastian’s signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and beautifully crafted melodies. The songwriting is rich with character and emotion, drawing listeners into vivid, intimate scenes. Favourite Songs: The opening track, The Stars of Track and Field, is a gentle, gorgeous introduction—its wistful tone and subtle build set the stage perfectly. Seeing Other People follows seamlessly, offering another slice of poetic melancholy. Both songs are beautiful and create a strong emotional foundation for the rest of the album. Least Favourite: Honestly, every track on the album holds its own. There isn’t a weak link; each song contributes to the cohesive, dreamy atmosphere that makes the album so special. Album Artwork: Belle & Sebastian’s album art is always distinctive, and this one is no exception. The cover for If You're Feeling Sinister is striking in its simplicity, complementing the introspective mood of the music.
2.5
Completely passed me by
It was an era of second-hand sweaters and Buddy Holly eye wear, when irony was an accessory of every undergraduate poet/cinephile who wanted a Godardian existence of post-Marxist critique and guerrilla filmmaking with plaid skirted quietly rebellious girls with bangs and cardigans. It could have been the 1960s, or C-1986, or 1996 in Scotland when a bus-driver continued the low fidelity scruffy pop tradition of Television Personalities. Instead of stalking the reclusive Syd Barrett, Stuart Murdoch wrote about the bookish adolescent desire to kiss "for practice." Effete, twee, melancholic, catchy, clever in a, there is a vintage Kafka paperback on the album cover, quasi-bohemian art school elitist fashion. It is an essential album for Wes Anderson fans of nostalgic art school fever dreams of queer baiting poetry, sensitive aesthetes with wry affections, quirky teenage rebels who dream of horses and foxes in the snow.
Another fantastic example of chamber pop from Belle and Sebastian. These really are classics.
This is really creative. I did not like the first track at all — lyrically annoying. But by the end of the album, I was grooving on their fast, self-reflective and revelatory lyrical delivery. The music is good too. It’s a 3 for now, but might be a 4 on a second listen.
This is literally a government-funded band. Of course their music is shite.
Day517 - lame artists with mediocre voices and stupid instruments
4.5
If you like this, listen to Tigermilk, which I think is their best album!
The Good: We are forewarned, that this music is for those who are sinister The Bad: What are we to do if we are not sinister? The Ugly: Finding out that Belle is Stuart, and so is Sebastian… The only light-point for me is that the length of the album is an acceptable 40 minutes. Aside from that I found the entire experience forgettable, almost to the point of a massive waste of my time. Also, and I am only ranting here, but what it is with people not knowing which category music belongs to? If you check the wiki page then you see the terms “Indie Pop”, “Indie Rock”, “Chamber Pop”, “Chamber Folk”, “Twee Pop”… I am missing the term “Shit Music”! There was a time when music was limited to; classical, jazz, rock, pop, folk… I would label this folk and that’s it. One final thing, to be fair, the production is great, no complaints there. 2*
Maybe a little too precious for me, such that I struggled to tell the differences between songs.
Never heard of this band, overall pleasant listen
Fun instrumentation at times, but I didn't love it. It's like poppy Death Cab. 3.2
There's a golden age for works like this. I'd say it's probably about 13.
Sometimes there's just something really nice about 10 simple folk pop songs that are just great at what they do. And that's exactly what this album is and I love it for that.
Ok. Well played. Several songs sounded similar. Nothing really stood out.
no me gusta i’m not feeling sinister, thanks boring
I really like the chill vibes of this album. It honestly sounds super ahead of its time to the point where it really could come have come out in the past few years and fit in with any other singer/songwriter album being released.
Ultimately not my thing but it’s an iconic sound that they totally perfected.
I let this one wash over me a bit. That’s the beauty, and sometimes rare for an indie album that doesn’t drag. It’s good xxx
Nice and sad. Mellow rainy day feel.
Folk Pop, nice lyrics, music pretty boring, certain instruments annoying at times.
Highlights: Stars of Track and Field, Dylan In The Movies, If You're Feeling Sinister, Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying. In a nutshell: whimsy sleaze. Belle and Sebastian IS NOT sad bastard music. If anything, Belle and Sebastian songs are wide ranging. They're introspective. Low key horny. Joyful. Obliquely spiritual. Relatable. They capture the disconnection between reality and own reality. The universe they craft is part La Nouvelle Vague fever dream part coming of age tele-drama. The lyrics- especially from the Belle’s early albums- resonated with people who in some way has been isolated from everyday life and observing from afar. Stuart (Murdoch) wrote these songs during his late teens and throughout his twenties during a long M.E. (ie Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) flare up. Stuart didn't have the physical energy to do things that other people his age did- travelling, dating, full time uni, having a job, etc. So all he could do is stay at home until his body was ready to face the world again. So, what do I have to say about “If You're Feeling Sinister”? It's good. The sound quality is better here compared to Tigermilk, helped by recording in a different studio. Personally I would have dropped The Boy Done Wrong Again and Seeing Other People (I am convinced that the piano is a nod to the Peanuts theme). They interrupt the flow of the album. It needs to emphasised - Stuart Murdoch is an underrated songwriter. The title track, Dylan in the Movies and Stars of Track and Field are prime examples. They are a unique band. Belle and Sebastian were one of the last bands to have some mystery to them. They protected their anonymity. They distanced themselves from the promotional circus while they created music- on their own terms. All the while, they fostered a cult like following. Of fan-zines, button pins, whimsy, curiosity. A deep connection to their fans, which still stands to this day. Overall: 7/10
I know this is the most basic of 90s indie alternative but this stuff is fire, sue me.
I studied English literature at a British university in the late 1990s – they might as well have handed out Belle & Sebastian CDs with our degree certificates. Luckily, I'm ok with being a twee indie cliche.
One of the best albums ever made
Some easy listening, adult 90's alt rock pop stuff. nah
A really nice album. Super pretty. Really indie twee. Great orchestration and softness to the playing and singing. Not that it doesn't punch hard. It punches like a pillow fight. Gentle and simple.
On first listen not hitting the spot for me. Many of the elements are there - easy going music with lyrics that demand you listen to them. It's probably the vocal delivery that's not working for me. So a 2 out of 5.
I love that Belle & Sebastian push against the prevailing forces of cynicism but without being humourless. On this LP you get a genuine sense that you are looking into their deepest thought. This is an enjoyable album, though I do think it’s been bettered by them since, with a slightly quirkier, preppier take.
High 4, absolutely loved this, definitely a fan of this band after previously only hearing I’m a Cuckoo (on The Gloaming)
It was just ok for me.